The question of whether current aviation talent search initiatives place sufficient emphasis on attracting more women into this area of the global workforce continually comes up in the headlines, with several stories reported in the past few days painting a mixed picture.

A leading UK airline CEO and the head of aviation and international asset finance at an Irish business law firm are among those to have expressed concern about the extent of progress being made to encourage greater gender diversity in the sector.

Aerospace still a “male-dominated” industry

The biggest independent regional airline in Europe, Flybe, has unveiled a campaign to get more young women interested in aviation careers, as it seeks to address the industry’s persistent gender imbalance.

The Exeter-based airline said that findings showed girls were four times less likely than boys to aspire to be a pilot or engineer, but were three times more likely to become cabin crew staff.

It has therefore launched the ‘FlyShe’ campaign to attempt to bridge this gap by inspiring young girls to consider roles as engineers and pilots. Women employed in such posts will visit children in classrooms across the country as part of the initiative.

Flybe CEO Christine Ourmières-Widener commented that “aviation is still very much a male-dominated industry”, adding: “The pipeline of female talent in engineering and piloting is simply not there.

“We cannot ignore the fact that the research indicated that nearly one in five girls believe there are jobs they cannot do and I firmly believe that young women cannot be what they cannot see. Through FlyShe, we are committed to showing women they can fly high – whatever it is they want to do.”

Diversity could also be improved in Ireland

Looking across the Irish Sea, meanwhile, the law firm Mason Hayes & Curran has described a lack of improvement on diversity in the Irish aerospace industry as “a cause for concern”.

The firm’s latest annual survey of the aviation sector indicated that there were still few women progressing to senior leadership positions, with only 16% of respondents saying that over 30% of senior roles in their company were held by women.

Christine O’Donovan, Mason Hayes & Curran’s head of aviation and international asset finance, commented that the “lack of progress and change is a cause for concern… all the evidence shows that greater diversity at all levels in organisations makes for better decision making and enhanced performance.”

Whether you are a candidate or client organisation, when you join forces with TARCG, we will assist you in achieving your objectives in this sector, drawing upon our considerable know-how in effective approaches to aviation talent search.

In light of its long-time stature as one of England’s key religious centres, when one mentions Exeter to you, you are likely to be especially put in mind of Exeter Cathedral, which was founded in the 11th century and continues to serve this part of Devon with distinction.

However, with Exeter Airport also lying east of the city and acting as a base for both Flybe and TUI Airways – formerly Thomson Airways – the area is also an obvious focus of many business aviation recruiting efforts.

So, could Exeter be where you enter the next momentous phase of your aerospace career?

Much more than just a tourist magnet

Even putting aside the city’s formidable transport connections that also include the likes of the M5 motorway and Exeter St David’s railway station, there are plenty of reasons for day-trippers to love Exeter. The city can, after all, trace its history back some 2,000 years, so there’s a lot to see and experience for those seeking a historic ambience in their choice of city break.

But Exeter is also a crucial economic centre in Devon, with tens of thousands of people typically commuting into the city from nearby towns each day. There are also substantial shopping facilities here across the likes of the Princesshay and Guildhall shopping centres, showing that Exeter is a homely, convenient and rewarding place to live, not just visit.

Nonetheless, it’s also difficult to overlook Exeter’s wealth of tourist-friendly attractions that can be as much of a joy for locals as they are for visitors, as well as such historic landmarks as the Clock Tower, Devon County Hall and Iron Bridge that do much to lend the city its enchanting character.

Top 5 attractions in Exeter

· Exeter Cathedral

· Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery

· Underground Passages

· Topsham Museum

· Northernhay Gardens

Top 5 places to eat in Exeter

· The Salutation Inn

· The Seven Stars

· Al Farid Mezz Bar & Restaurant

· Puffing Billy

· Haldon Forest Diner

Top 5 bars in Exeter

· Board

· The Bridge Inn

· The Ley Arms

· Doctor Ink’s Curiosities

· Cavern

Find your dream new aviation job in Exeter with TARCG’s help

Do you like the idea of setting up home in Exeter while also taking your aviation career to new heights? If so, don’t hesitate to perform a search for the latest vacancies we have available for Devon jobseekers – or contact us directly for a more detailed discussion of your requirements.

Slovakia may have only become an independent state in 1993 – with Bratislava its capital – but this formerly Communist corner of Europe has recorded stellar economic growth over the last few decades.

It’s something that no user of a European aviation recruiter such as TARCG should ignore, not least as the city is becoming quite the destination for aerospace professionals.

An unassuming city, undergoing a renaissance

Until recently, Bratislava was in the shadow of more fashionable capitals across the ‘Old Continent’ like Vienna, Prague and Budapest, as a place to both live and visit.

The situation has drastically altered since the 1990s, however, with the young country’s largest city now emphatically punching above its weight.

The development of the city’s tech and media industries has dovetailed with the rediscovery of its enchanting historic architecture and the remarkable views possible across the Danube, which is the second longest river in Europe.

Such factors also all lend themselves to plenty of opportunities for those working alongside an aviation recruiter like TARCG, aided by the proximity – a mere nine kilometres (5.6 miles) from the city centre – of Bratislava Airport.

What can you see and do in Bratislava?

Many of the factors that have led tourists to flock to Bratislava in recent years – including the city’s affordability and wealth of interesting things to do and see – also makes this part of central Europe an alluring proposition if you are offered a position in the local aviation sector.

There is certainly a strong complement of cultural institutions, reflecting Bratislava’s historically multicultural character, including the likes of the Slovak National Theatre, the Slovak National Museum and the Slovak National Gallery.

However, the city is also home to family-friendly attractions such as Aquapark Senec, Thermalpark Dunajská Streda and Bratislava Zoo. Relaxing open green spaces like Sad Janka Kráľa and Medická Záhrada are available to Bratislava residents, too, together with such instantly recognisable tourist draws as those below.

Top 5 attractions in Bratislava

· Bratislava Castle

· Devín Castle

· Michael’s Gate

· St Martin’s Cathedral

· Old Town Hall

Top 5 places to eat in Bratislava

· Albrecht

· Modrá Hviezda

· BeAbout

· 17’s BAR

· Mondieu

Top 5 bars in Bratislava

· SPIN Cocktail Bar

· Bratislavský Meštiansky Pivovar

· WINE NOT?

· The Taste – Wine & Food

· Zámocký Pivovar

TARCG can show you the way to the best aviation vacancies

Upload your CV with TARCG today, and you can soon benefit from our considerable resources and know-how as an aviation recruiter, wherever in Europe you may wish to take the next step in your life as an aerospace professional.